Sicilian Culture: News: Mfume To Delay Boycott

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Mfume To Delay Boycott
By Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times

When I read articles such as the one below, It makes me wonder (Again), Why there is Diversity for All Except Italian Americans?
NAACP, National Hispanic Media Coalition,Asian Pacific America Media Coalition have fought and won battles of :
Eliminating Negative Stereotypes
Promoting Positive Images and Story Lines
Increase Number of Writers, Directors, and Producers
Now these groups are continuing to push for a greater:
"Increase representation of minorities on series and in the executive ranks"
And if there is not Progress and Adherence to Previous Negotiations, there is the Threat of : "massive, targeted and sustained economic boycott" that would include that network's advertisers.
Why are we not able to have an Italian American Coalition of Major Organizations holding similar type negotiations and meetings for even the most basic considerations?
Who else besides Jack Valenti would be a good "door opener" to Studios and Networks for that Coalition??
Why? - - Richard Anntonico

Associates of the NAACP's president say plans to protest a lack of diversity at the major networks may be on hold but not derailed.
October 17 2001 - - On the eve of the NAACP board meeting this week, President and Chief Executive Kweisi Mfume has apparently dropped--at least for now--plans to call for a boycott of one of the major TV networks, a threat he issued as recently as August.
Several factors are affecting the reversal, sources said. A flurry of behind-the-scenes activity at the networks is taking place while Mfume and board members are in Los Angeles for the NAACP state conference...
Still, associates of Mfume said any boycott initiative may be delayed but not derailed. Mfume is scheduled to meet with network executives this week, and no major announcements on TV are planned at the conference. "Mr. Mfume says he will bring the topic up during the meetings. That's all there is to say at this point," said an NAACP spokesman.
In August, Mfume outlined what he saw as a disappointing lack of progress among the major television networks in following through on the initiatives they signed in 1999 to increase representation of minorities on series and in the executive ranks. Those initiatives were negotiated by a coalition of minority entertainment activists, chaired by Mfume. As the chairmanship of the coalition rotated to other members, Mfume has increasingly taken independent stands on the diversity issue, as he did in August, saying he would probably propose to the NAACP board of directors in October that ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox be singled out for a "massive, targeted and sustained economic boycott" that would include that network's advertisers.
Although coalition members say there is no split with Mfume, others in the group are not as convinced that the dramatic action Mfume has pushed for is needed. Some say they are encouraged by recent meetings with network heads, especially those at ABC, which Mfume and others have repeatedly blasted for being particularly slow at addressing diversity issues.
The diversity chiefs at the major networks are compiling updated figures showing diversity in talent, writing and executive ranks to present to Mfume and a multiethnic coalition formed about two years ago. Those reports are due at the end of the month, and coalition leaders are expected to respond to the numbers in December.
Karen Narasaki of the Asian Pacific America Media Coalition, who is taking over the rotating chairmanship of the coalition, said: "I believe it would be premature to take any action at this point. Yes, many of us are frustrated and disappointed. But we're seeking significant improvements by midseason. And the networks seem to be hearing what we're saying."
Alex Nogales, head of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, said he was optimistic after discussions that several Latino groups had last week with ABC President Alex Wallau, who heads that network's diversity efforts.
Said Nogales: "We're on track. All the networks know that they have to be ahead of where they are by the end of the year. In terms of Latinos, I believe at this time they're making very fast progress."
More minorities have been added to the cast and guest slots of new dramas and comedies, said Anne-Marie Johnson, the national chairwoman of the equal employment opportunity branch of the Screen Actors Guild.
"I'm definitely seeing more people of color in prominent roles," said Johnson, who is running for the first vice-president position of SAG. "Time will tell whether that continues to hold true."
However, others in the creative community contend that the networks are still doing little to increase the number of minority writers on series and dramas.
"As far as minority writers, it's been the same, if not worse," said Sharon Johnson, head of the Black Writers Committee for the Writers Guild. "None of the networks are really that committed. Of course, you may see a few more people of color on series, but the producers hide behind the cast. Unless the networks lose something, they will not change."
Javier Szermann, the Writers Guild's head of the Latino Writers Committee, added: "It doesn't look as if it's improved. They could be doing much better."...
However, Mitzi Wilson, Fox's head of diversity, maintained that the commitment to diversity for her network is just as strong, if not stronger.
"We have been informed by [Fox Group Chairman and Chief Executive] Peter Chernin that diversity still has the highest priority," said Wilson. "Our commitment remains strong."...
Mfume Appears to Delay Boycott
www.latimes.com/entertainment/printedition/calendar/la-000082616oct17.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dcalendar

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